Occurrence and Use of Highly Fluorinated Substances and Alternatives
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REPORT7/15 Occurrence and use of highly fluorinated substances and alternatives Report from a government assignment kemikalieinspektionen.se The Swedish Chemicals Agency is supervisory authority under the Government. We work in Sweden, the EU and internationally to develop legislation and other incentives to promote good health and improved environment. We monitor compliance of applicable rules on chemical products, pesticides and substances in articles and carry out inspections. We review and authorise pesticides before they can be used. Our environmental quality objective is A Non-toxic Environment. © Swedish Chemicals Agency. Print: Arkitektkopia, Stockholm 2015. ISSN 0284-1185. Article number: 361 164. Order print from Arkitektkopia AB, Box 11093, SE-161 11 Bromma. Order tel: +46 8 505 933 35, Order fax: +46 8 505 933 99, e-mail: [email protected]. Preface The Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) has been assigned by the Swedish Government to produce a national action plan for a toxic-free everyday environment: Action plan for a toxic- free everyday environment 2011 – 2014 – protect the children better. The action plan has been extended to 2020. Efforts are going on in several areas, both in Sweden, within the EU and internationally and often in cooperation with other authorities. Reducing chemical risks in the everyday environment is one step towards attaining the Swedish Parliament´s environment quality objective A Non-Toxic Environment, which is the objective that the Swedish Chemicals Agency is responsible for. Within the framework of the action plan, we compile knowledge in the Swedish Chemicals Agency’s report and PM series elaborated by experienced colleagues, researchers or consultants. In this way, we present new and essential knowledge in publications which can be downloaded from the website www.kemikalieinspektionen.se. One area of focus in the action plan is highly fluorinated substances. The Swedish Chemicals Agency has been assigned to produce a national programme of measures for highly fluorinated substances. As part of this task the Swedish Chemicals Agency has carried out a survey of the occurrence and use of highly fluorinated substances and alternative substances and materials. The survey is presented in this report. The aim of the survey is to give a clearer picture of where highly fluorinated substances are currently used and what alternative substances, materials and technologies are available. The survey was carried out by the Department for the Development of Legislation and Other Instruments. The head of unit Agneta Falk-Filipsson was responsible for the project and the project group comprised Stellan Fischer and Jenny Ivarsson (project leader). Johan Forsberg and Maria Delvin have also contributed to the report. Content Summary ........................................................................................................... 6 Sammanfattning ............................................................................................... 8 1 Background ......................................................................................... 10 2 The assignment and its scope ........................................................... 11 3 Terminology, manufacture, function and abbreviations ................. 12 3.1 Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) ........................................ 12 Non-polymers ................................................................................................................ 13 Polymers ....................................................................................................................... 14 3.2 Manufacture and technical quality ................................................................................ 15 Electrochemical fluorination, ECF ................................................................................. 15 Telomerization ............................................................................................................... 16 Technical quality ........................................................................................................... 16 3.3 Properties and functions ............................................................................................... 16 3.4 Abbreviations and explanations .................................................................................... 17 4 Legislation and voluntary agreements ............................................. 18 4.1 The Stockholm Convention ........................................................................................... 18 4.2 EU regulations ............................................................................................................... 19 4.3 Voluntary agreements ................................................................................................... 20 5 Survey methodology .......................................................................... 20 5.1 Highly fluorinated substances and alternatives on the market ..................................... 21 The work process .......................................................................................................... 21 5.1.1.1 Regulatory databases ................................................................................................... 23 5.1.1.2 Scientific literature ......................................................................................................... 24 5.1.1.3 Company information .................................................................................................... 24 5.2 Uncertainty in gathered information .............................................................................. 25 Substance identification ................................................................................................ 25 Assessment of end use ................................................................................................. 26 The limits of notification requirements .......................................................................... 26 Confidential company information ................................................................................. 26 Import of articles ............................................................................................................ 26 6 Occurrence and use of highly fluorinated substances ................... 27 6.1 General overview .......................................................................................................... 27 Types of PFAS .............................................................................................................. 27 Description of PFA usage. ............................................................................................ 30 Number of PFAS on the global market ......................................................................... 31 Volumes in the EU ........................................................................................................ 32 6.2 Identification of areas of application .............................................................................. 33 Textiles and leather ....................................................................................................... 33 Paper- and food-packaging ........................................................................................... 34 Fire-fighting foam .......................................................................................................... 35 Cosmetic products ........................................................................................................ 38 Household products ...................................................................................................... 40 6.2.5.1 Impregnating agents for textiles .................................................................................... 40 6.2.5.2 Paint, printing ink and lacquer ....................................................................................... 40 6.2.5.3 Cleaning agents and polish ........................................................................................... 42 6.2.5.4 Non-stick products ........................................................................................................ 42 6.2.5.5 Ski Wax ......................................................................................................................... 42 Metal (hard- and decorative-chrome plating) ................................................................ 43 Hydraulic systems in the aviation industry .................................................................... 45 Photographic & Electronic equipment and components ............................................... 46 6.2.8.1 Electronic equipment and components ......................................................................... 46 6.2.8.2 Photographic surface layers.......................................................................................... 46 6.2.8.3 Photoresistors and anti-reflective coatings for semiconductors .................................... 47 6.2.8.4 Market information Photographic & Electronic equipment and components ................ 47 Synthesis chemicals (intermediaries) ........................................................................... 48 Other uses ..................................................................................................................... 50 6.2.10.1 Medical devices ............................................................................................................